Page 10 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
Thus spoke the angel. Suddenly
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:
And the community here in Chatternwell had accepted her with open arms—that was another blessing she had not counted yet!
Raising her voice, she sang the last verse loudly as she set out her teacup. Her loneliness was a choice. A penance for her past mistakes. She had acquired many fine acquaintances here in town, and her work was all she needed.
‘All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
to those on whom his favor rests
goodwill shall never cease.’
Silence descended once more. Biting her lip, she tried to think of something else to sing. Opening her mouth, she—
A loud knocking resounded from the front door. Caroline’s mouth clamped shut as she frowned in confusion.
Who on earth—
Another loud knocking.
Whoever it was, they were frantic to get her attention. The very windows rattled from the blows on the door.
Caroline briskly strode across the workroom to enter the front of the shop, more than a little nervous at whom she might find at her door on Christmas Eve. Her fears were eased when she saw through the windows that it was Dr. Hadley, one of the town’s two doctors. He was a jovial sort, and quite popular for his generous spirit.
Hurrying over, Caroline unlocked the door to let him in.
Dr. Hadley was a well-fed man of average height with salt and pepper hair. He had a broad face with a thick mustache and a vaguely Mediterranean look about him. Currently, he looked harried rather than his usual cheerful self.
“Is everything all right, Dr. Hadley?”
His gravelly voice revealed his anxiety. “Mrs. Brown, I am so pleased to find you. I swear the entire street is deserted for the eve celebrations. I could not find a single soul of any use!”
“Are you in need of assistance?”
The doctor swiped a white handkerchief over his forehead, mopping up the sweat of his exertions. “I hate to impose, Mrs. Brown. There were people about when I was called to Mr. Jackson’s, but by the time I was done treating him, I could find no one to help. John Bow is here to drive me urgently to his farm so I can attend to his wife. She is in labor and needs me right away, but I must find someone to take care of Mr. Jackson before I leave.”
“What happened to Mr. Jackson?”
“He suffered a severe sprain to his ankle this evening. It is imperative he remain off his feet, but there is no one to care for him. The man is pugnacious! Stubborn! If I do not find someone to attend him, I know he will walk about, which could result in a permanent injury. I must send someone over to ensure he is taken care of. His last meal was at midday, so if I do not send someone to see to him right away, he is certain to ignore my instructions to remain seated and instead seek sustenance.”
Caroline drew back in disbelief at what the doctor was suggesting. “Surely … I cannot, Dr. Hadley! I am a single woman. If I attend to a man in his home, my reputation will be utterly ruined!”
And I have been avoiding the handsome blacksmith since the day we met! I cannot possibly be alone with him!
The doctor looked about, then back at the wagon where Mr. Bow sat with a tense expression, evidently concerned at the delay returning to his wife’s side.
Leaning in, Dr. Hadley lowered his voice. “I shall be the only one who knows, and I swear I shall never breathe a word of it. I found a couple of people at the inn, but they were far too inebriated to be of use, and the innkeeper … he refused to help. Not that I would trust that man to care for anyone at the best of times. Everyone else is home with their family, and I do not have time to find someone else.”
Caroline shook her head. She wanted to assist, but this was too risky.
“Mrs. Brown, Mr. Jackson is a very important member of our community. Under ordinary circumstances, I could find any number of people willing to assist him. And he has many staff. But it is the holidays and I am out of time. Please, this is important! I have seen injuries like this become incurable maladies due to neglect. The patient must remain off his feet. Mr. Jackson is yet a young man, a man who provides many people with work and is himself a highly skilled smith who helps our community by his own hand. I would hate for him to develop chronic problems with his leg when he was doing such a kind favor.”
